A fitting tribute was paid in honour of a well-respected soccer league stalwart when Millicent hosted Naracoorte in Sunday’s Barry Maney Group Limestone Coast Premier League.
Just one day shy of celebrating his 89th birthday, on June 26 the Millicent United Soccer Club lost a treasured life-long member, Ben (Bernard) Wilkinson.
A special commemoration was held in his honour.
Players wore black arm bands and a minute’s silence was held prior to each game.
Prior to kick-off for the start of the men’s A Grade, those in attendance were invited by the Wilkinson family to come together on the main pitch to observe a minute’s silence.
Players and representatives from the playing club’s senior men and women’s teams formed a circle with the Wilkinson family around the match ball, draped with Ben’s club tie and placed next to his favourite drink, port.
Ben was known for enjoying a nip or two of port and a glass was raised by his son Craig Wilkinson to pay respects to the club stalwart.
Ben had a long history with the Millicent United Soccer Club.
He was one of the founding members in 1968, and was a player, coach, umpire, linesman, treasurer and club president on numerous occasions, as well as association board member.
In 1976 he was rightfully given the honour of being the first life member of the club.
He was also inducted as life member and patron of the Limestone Coast Football (Soccer) Association.
Many games you could find Ben, with his beloved wife Bridget, cheering from the sideline.
Great effort was made to acknowledge Ben throughout the day, including the coin toss at the beginning of the men’s A grade match being flipped by his son Eric Wilkinson.
To make the occasion that little bit more sentimental for all, Ben’s granddaughter Kelsie Wilkinson scored a goal in the senior women’s game, aiding in Millicent’s 4-0 victory.
Following the win, a club mascot in the form of a plush dog by the name of ‘Bobby’, was presented by Ben’s daughter Yvonne Davis to the senior women.
Yvonne said her father had wanted to make the presentation himself.
However, illness prevented him from fulfilling the gesture.
After a brief illness, Ben passed away at the Flinders Medical Centre.
He is survived by his wife Bridget.
He is treasured father of Pearl, Janice, Stanley, Craig, Eric, Yvonne, and adored grandfather to 13 grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held today at the Millicent United Soccer Club, followed by private cremation.
